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Our Top 12 Picks from NeoCon 2026 & Design Days
When you think of commercial interior design, American DJ Diplo probably does not immediately come to mind. But at the 57th edition of NeoCon earlier this month, that connection materialized thanks to a brand activation—and dance party—hosted by SitOnIt Seating at the House of Blues, where the famed producer and performer held court as part of the event’s off-site programming.
Beyond the DJ sets, this year’s NeoCon calendar featured a wealth of compelling activations, exciting partnerships, and must-see events and exhibitions. On the 7th floor of The MART’s Exhibit Hall, NeoCon Talks by Design Milk dove into design-forward discussions on inclusivity, sustainability, and more. On the 11th floor, attendees looking for a moment of calm could take a breather beneath the mood lighting of the Designer Wellness Lounge by Design Milk. And step into the wrong elevator, and you could find yourself in the middle of a rave, protected by yellow-padded walls courtesy of Turf.
Still more showrooms and installations could be found across town at Fulton Market’s Design Days, from giant gum-ball machines to furniture crafted from recycled plastic containers.
Below, explore our top picks from NeoCon 2026 and Design Days.
Kettal Workplace.
1. Eames Office x Kettal
First seen at the Triennale Milano during Milan Design Week, Kettal Workplace transforms the iconic Eames Pavilion System into a complete office environment, incorporating acoustics, lighting, furniture, and architecture within an integrated kit of parts. Both a celebration of Kettal’s 60th anniversary, an exploration of the evolution of the modern workplace, and a homage to the lasting impact of Charles and Ray Eames, the modular system offers a fluid office environment designed for flexibility and long-term evolution.
Also on display at NeoCon were a new collaboration with Foster + Partners, dubbed Area; U-Type, a new chair by Barber Osgerby; and Shogun, a colorful armchair reintroduced in collaboration with Verner Panton.
HÅG Capisco chair with Recouture’s åkle.
2. HÅG x Recouture
In a recent reimagining of the HÅG Capisco, ergonomic form meets heritage craft. Unveiled at NeoCon 2026, the collaboration between HÅG, part of Flokk, and Norwegian fashion studio Recouture resulted in beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind versions of the HÅG Capisco chair upholstered in traditional handwoven Norwegian åkle tapestry textiles. Drawing on Recouture’s expertise with the beloved vintage material, each chair was carefully fitted with restored åkle and paired with a selected metal finish, creating a new iconography that speaks to both the chair’s enduring silhouette and Norwegian cultural history.
Ample by RBW.
Sequencer by RBW.
Triple Glazed by RBW.
3. RBW
At this year’s NeoCon, the Illuminate lighting show was the new kid on the block — and those who trekked to the far corner of the 7th Floor Exhibit Hall were in for a treat. At RBW’s booth, the New York-based lighting design and manufacturing company showed up and showed off with three new collections: Sequencer, Triple Glazed, and Ample. A Best of NeoCon Award winner designed by Toronto-based MSDS Studio, Sequencer’s geometric silhouette offers modular compositions and an atmospheric glow. Triple Glazed brings a compact, colorful presence, while Ample combines layered silicone and glass to create a distinct texture and soft shine.
4. Softbrick by Stylex
rom within a curtain of hanging threads dyed in a bright gradient—Salon Tactile by Erika Hock—Stylex’s NeoCon 2026 offerings felt light and expressive. With creative direction by Carole Baijings, the showroom was divided into functional zones, from the work lounge and social café to the huddle area. In the foundational lounge, a striking new lilac modular seating system stole the show. Dubbed Softbrick, the dual-height soft seating, available in multiple powder-coat colors, proved just as comfortable as it looks.
Limousine by DARRAN.
5. Limousine by Darran
Designed for the open-concept modern office, the new Limousine collection by Darran does double duty as soft seating and a distraction-free focus zone. Launched at NeoCon, this newest offering features an integrated lift that seamlessly transitions to high-back seating in seconds, obstructing sightlines and blocking unwanted noise. Plus, by growing vertically, users don’t have to compromise on style—or space.
Ground Control by Juniper.
6. Juniper
Making its NeoCon debut this year, Connecticut-based lighting technology brand, Juniper, wowed attendees with three standout offerings as part of the inaugural Illuminate section. On display: the Multiverse System, a modular architectural lighting platform made of modular ribbon tracks; the Thin System, aptly named for an ultra-thin silhouette that still packs a punch; and Ground Control, a power access solution built for in-wall and plug-in across hospitality and commercial spaces.
Fine Line by Stinson.
Flirtation by Anzea.
Perfectly Imperfect by Arc-Com.
7. CF Stinson
Debuting a new showroom on the third floor of The Mart, CF Stinson brings together its three brands, Stinson, Arc-Com, and Anzea, each of which released a new collection at NeoCon this year. From blooming botanical patterns to grid-like geometries, these textile collections showcase a range of creativity and brand cohesion, while still feeling distinctly unique. On view: Fine Line by Stinson, Flirtation by Anzea and Perfectly Imperfect by Arc-Com.
Tiago by Davis Furniture.
8. Tiago Collection by Davis Furniture
At Davis Furniture, chic chairs and sophisticated seating is the name of the game—and this year’s offerings were no different. The brand showcased several new collections, including a standout sculptural wood seating series, Tiago. Designed by German design studio KASCHKASCH, the Tiago collection features a family of stacking side chairs and barstools in precision-milled solid oak and molded plywood.
Ringo by Marset.
9. Ringo by Marset
At Marset’s Illuminate booth, eye-catching luminaires were in no short supply. From the expressive mushroom-like silhouette of Gambosa by Mathias Hahn to the oh-so-delicate Fragile table lamp by Jaume Ramírez—now newly expanded into chandelier and wall sconce configurations—and more. Still, the fan favorite is the Ringo by Joan Gaspar, a commanding ceiling light that looks like a block of melting ice. What might at first glance appear like solid glass is, in-fact, transparent polycarbonate that is distinctly mobile and light to touch, resulting in a solid yet weightless feel.
10. Coalesse’s Co.Lab
Across the city at Fulton Market Design Days, Coalesse created a group pop-up to spark conversation on the future of collaborative design. Dubbed Co.Lab, the interactive installation brought together an impressive assemblage of brand partners—Moooi, Viccarbe, Tom Dixon, Flos, and Extremis—for designer panels, mingling and more. And with a chic wood facade, the pop-up felt light and airy, and passersby could catch glimpses of soft lighting and bold seating from cutouts in the walls.
Land/Mark by Bentley Mills.
11. Land/Mark by Bentley Mills
Mere steps away from The Mart, the Bentley Mills Chicago showroom was a bustle of activity during the NeoCon 2026, playing host to Design Milk’s founder Jaime Derringer for a conversation with previous VP of Design at Bentley Mills and founder and creative director of Neutral Haus, Todd van der Kruik. The event served a dual purpose: honour the 20th anniversary of Design Milk and celebrate the launch of Bentley Mills’ new Land/Mark textile collection. Inspired by the liminal spaces that bear a patina from the passage of time, the names of the carpets in this collection speak to this sense of nostalgia and optimism—from “Where We Met” to “Old Haunts.”
12. Maharam
At Design Days in Fulton Market, the New York-based textile brand Maharam showcased a range of colorful, patterned textiles from both Maharam and Knoll Textiles, including indoor/outdoor options and reissued upholstery. Displayed on Stick Frame—a modular display system constructed from stainless steel beams by American industrial designer Leon Ransmeier—the configuration offered a new vantage point for the collections. Other textiles were upholstered onto several sculptural objects by designer Robert Stadler.
Photography courtesy of brands.
